The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-12-08
SEVERAL ILLUSTRATIONS.

81 know of three cases in which distinct
answers were given to that question The
head of a family was warned by his butler
that he had noticed some suspicious looking
men proving about the rear of the house,
and would respectfully suggest that the silver
ware be sent to the vaults of safe deposit.
This advice was given after business hoArs,
but the gentleman determined to avail him.
self of it on the following day Meanwhile
he borrowed a big, unalniable bull terrier
from the butcher and neglected to mention
the fact to the butler Nobody in the upper
regions of the house was disturbed that night,
for the work down stairs was done in silence.
The next morning the dead body Of the butler
was found lying on the floor Of the pantry
with the dog crouching beside it, The mans
throat was torn out and some OF the family
| jewelry was in his pockets. The silverware
was placed so that, had he not been inter
rupted, he could have quickly and easily
handed it to his confederates, whose footprints
were stamped upon the clay beneath the win
dow. He had warned his master in order to
| prevent suspicion from falling upon himself,
but he had not taken the bull terrier into his
| calculations
'Then | knew an old lawyer who was
aroused before daybreak by roars for help in
the hail. and going down stairs found a bur
| glar sitting on marble top table, and a
fierce eyed bull terrier, that friend of mine
had given him as q fee for defending law
suit, gazing at him from the 1oor
| And, again, once sold fine bull terrier
to an elderly lady, who, distressing servants
and living all alone in her house, thought
she needed such protector. Coming down
to light the fire one morning, she WIS horri-
fled to find her dog grimly watching burly
ruffian in the kitchen.
"'If you please, marin, said the man, touch
ing his cap as she entered, Il amt took
nothin' yet. That ere wild beast o. yourn
| would a tore me to small bits if had He's
been lieepin' his eye on me, marin, and II
I'd stirred step he'd been at me. I've put
| in most uncommon nasty night, marin,
and do hopes you won't be hard on me-
''She was not hard upon him. She gave
him his breakfast and allowed him to 20 UNI
molested Then she came around TO my
| place with the dog and sold him back to me
at half price, saying that if had told her he
YVES so renorseess brute she would never
have allowed him into her house at Ell.
THE MOST USEFUL DOG.
"The fact is, no watchdog is of tie slight
est use TO lady. If he banks and arouses
her she IS far more terrified than the thieves,
and when he does his work silently he is not
the social companion she cares to have IN her
boudoir. She has stated her needs TO me
often enough when she came TO purchase a
pet. What she wants is a soft, silky little
fellow, who will sleep as soundly as she does
herself, and nos provoke the burglars by
| making any unseemly disturbance.
"But for persons who would rather risk an
encounter with thieves than loose their goods,
a well bred, rough haired terrier, weighing
about twelve pounds makes capital house
protector. He Is likely 10 be full of intelli-
gence, and will not give an alarm without
cause. IL he hears noise he will thoroughly
investigate it before he barlss. No passing
footsteps no wind ratified shutters, in fact
nothing but an absolute attempt TO get, felo-
niously into the house, will induce him to
arouse the inmates II his suspicious are
awakened he will go, very quietly, from door
20 door, and from window TO window, sniff
ing softly at each, and ascertain the exact
state of affairs Then If his voice is heard II
is time for everybody to get up. The rob
bers will always certainly run AWAY when
they hear him, but If there is any 'unpleas-
antness the dog may be trusted TO do his full
share OF the work, though he could not under
take it alone. Such dog should never be
allowed to fraternize with strangers or to
take food from unaccustomed hands, though,
probably, his disposition viii not lead him 30
do so, but poisoned, meat surreptitiously
thrown over the fence is great aid TO bur-
glars. San Francisco Examiner
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